Practices And Challenges Of Community Based Ecotourism Development: The Case Of Bishoftu Town, Oromia National Regional State

Abstract

Ecotourism is a recently emerged concept described as an ecologically, friendly, economically viable, and socially acceptable form of tourism. It has basic principles for conservation of environment, local culture, and ensuring the major beneficiaries and participation of local communities. The purpose of this study was to assess the practices and challenges of community based ecotourism on local economic development in case of Bishoftu town. To achieve the objectives of the study, a descriptive survey design and both quantitative and qualitative mixed methods were employed. The researcher took a total of 171 respondents for quantitative analysis from total population, key informant interviews, field observation and FGDs for qualitative data collection. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were employed. Three community based ecotourism-developed areas were selected for the study using a simple random sampling method. The data were gathered through a questionnaire, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, field observation, and document analysis. The quantitative data were analyzed using frequency and percentage, while the qualitative data were analyzed through a theoretical method based on the data collected from the respondents from the study area. The result of the study tried to identify the following challenges against ecotourism development and local economic development: Lack of safety and security, lack of community awareness, lack of trained manpower, the absence of clean tap water, the seasonal nature of the business, language barriers for efficient communication with tourists, lack of cooperation among stakeholders, natural and culturally incompatible infrastructural developments, cultural commercialization, and abuse from tourists and the community were among the challenges that merely seek quick intervening solutions. The effort made to improve the participation of the local community through ecotourism development was very low. In light of those circumstances, the study strongly recommends that the Bishoftu town Culture and Tourism Office use ecotourism as an alternative economic source through local community empowerment and involvement, which was the main challenge of ecotourism development activities.,